Each week, NWPE brings its members a round-up of what’s happening in education. From big, eye-catching headlines to the stories most papers overlook, we find the news our members really want to see. This week, New York’s elite school controversy, the Tony awards, school hardening, and more!

NYC’s Courts Controversy with Changes to Elite Schools: Recently, New York City’s mayor Bill DeBlasio announced a change to how the city’s elite and selective high schools choose which students will be enrolled. Previously, all students in NYC took an entrance exam and the students who did best were offered a place at the specialized schools. However, this system resulted in a wide disparity between who was and wasn’t allowed to enroll in the schools. Enrollment in these select schools can be life changing for gifted students from poor neighborhoods, but these are the very students who are often blocked from enrolling. The new proposal would offer spots to each middle school’s top seven-percent. This has caused anger in communities who feel they are the ones being sidelined now, including the city’s Asian families.

Parkland Students Shine at Tony Awards: Florida’s Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School honored at this year’s Tony Awards. Drama Teacher Melody Herzfeld, who had sheltered 65 students during the school’s shooting, was given the Tony’s Excellence in Theatre Education Award. The award includes a $10,000 prize, which will go to the school’s theater program. During the presentation, Ms. Herzfeld was surprised by her drama students who performed “Seasons of Love” from the musical Rent.

Controversy over How to Protect Schools Continues in Texas: As communities continue to deal with the fall out after a uniquely violent school year, controversy continues. Texas is one such state, where they are exploring whether to harden schools. There, a newly created senate committee is exploring measures such as metal detectors. Â Critics worry that these measures will cause schools to feel like prisons and will have a detrimental effect on learning. They would like the money spent on other measures. Those opposed to hardening measures includes the National PTA, National School Boards Association, American Counseling Association, and the Girl Scouts.